Denny Hamlin claims NASCAR might be “about to buy” Gateway 

Denny Hamlin explores the business side of the 2025 playoffs schedule.

Denny Hamlin claims NASCAR might be “about to buy” Gateway 

Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

NASCAR predominantly races in tracks that are either owned or operated by themselves or Speedway Motorsports. Due to the advantage these tracks have in revenue sharing, they most often prefer their own track to host important races. But the sanctioning body has made a surprising decision for the 2025 Cup schedule with the tracks. 

They have replaced three tracks that currently have a playoff date from the 2025 calendar according to Athletic. Two of the tracks that lost the date belonged to NASCAR, but when the replacement was announced one of these dates to SMI operated Gateway or WWTR at St. Louis. JGR veteran Cup driver Denny Hamlin sees a business move here.

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While talking about the decision in his podcast, he pointed out that NASCAR might be on its way to buying the track. He doesn’t think NASCAR would give an independent track such an important race date for no reason, hence he reckons they will be taking over the operations of the track soon. 

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Interesting. Gateway, that’s still an independently owned track is it not? It’s interesting they would put an independently owned track in the playoffs. I know it’s not unprecedented, we used to run Dover when it was independent, but it makes me wonder is NASCAR about to buy St. Louis. Like, I just, because name the tracks that are coming out…
Denny Hamlin said via Action Detrimental. 

Denny Hamlin is thinking beyond the normal discussions of tracks losing playoff date 

The major discussion point that came out after the reports came out was the iconic Homestead Miami track losing its race date. But Hamlin thought beyond that and explored the business side of the sport and that has helped him to reach the conclusion. 

Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin
Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)
So, I’m just doing the math and I’m like NASCAR is willing to take a date from itself? People look at the tracks and that’s the easy knee-jerk reaction is let’s just talk about the tracks. I look at the business and hmmm, they’re gonna take a date from themselves and give it to an independent track? Look for some paperwork to be filed.
Denny Hamlin said. 

The 23XI Racing co-owner does have a point with the claims about NASCAR’s plan to take over Gateway. The sanctioning body will definitely get some huge benefits with this move otherwise it wouldn’t have taken place. It would be interesting to see if NASCAR does as Hamlin predicted.

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